Chapter 345: Ohara
Looking around at the people hustling back and forth—each carrying a book, reading as they walked hurriedly—Charlotte felt a wave of discomfort wash over him.
This scene reminded him of his past life, being forced by his teachers and parents to study all the time.
Olvia descended from the ship, holding Nico Robin in her arms. As she looked up at the towering Tree of Knowledge, tears welled in her eyes.
It was beneath this tree that she and her husband had once promised their lives to each other, gotten married, and pursued archaeology together. She never imagined that one voyage would leave her returning alone.
No—she wasn't alone.
Lowering her gaze to her child, Olvia thought, At least I still have you. This child had lost her father before even opening her eyes to the world.
"Olvia!"
A voice rang out in surprise.
The voice came from a man with tufts of white hair that flared out like palm fronds, even his chin beard fanned out like clover leaves.
Charlotte recognized him instantly.
Professor Clover.
"Professor!"
Olvia cried out. The moment she saw him, her tears flowed freely.
Seeing her devastated face, Professor Clover's heart sank.
Something terrible had happened.
He hurried to her side.
"Olvia, what's going on? Where is Robin?"
Upon hearing his question, Olvia broke down completely. The baby in her arms began wailing, perhaps sensing her mother's sorrow.
"Professor… Robin… he's dead!"
Olvia sobbed bitterly.
"What?! What happened?"
Clover asked, his tone grave.
"Come. Let's go back to the Tree of Knowledge. Tell me everything."
He grabbed her hand and led her toward the great tree.
Charlotte watched all this unfold—completely ignored and walked right past.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He looked back to see his crew disembarking.
"Alright, everyone down. Stretch your legs. Restock supplies,"
Charlotte barked with a dark look.
Illyana, holding Klein, chuckled behind her hand and stepped off the ship.
"You lot, don't wander too far. This island's not safe!"
Charlotte warned his kids.
The moment he set foot on the island, Charlotte had sensed dozens of eyes watching him—then quickly disappearing. It was obvious that Ohara was under surveillance by World Government agents.
And now, he too had been dragged into the situation.
His warning left the younger ones puzzled. Only Barret, Esdeth, and Caesar seemed to notice something was wrong.
"Captain, this place is crawling with rats,"
Barret muttered, frowning.
Charlotte nodded.
"Act as the situation calls for it. If they don't make a move, neither do we."
Truthfully, in his previous life, Charlotte had only pitied Ohara when watching the anime.
But after living in this world for twenty years, seeing it with new eyes, all he could feel was how foolish the scholars had been.
They had no power, yet dared to uncover the world's greatest secrets.
Even if they found the truth—then what? Could they defeat the World Government?
Their destruction had been their own doing.
Still, Charlotte couldn't help but respect their courage. Betting the entire island's fate just to challenge the World Government's will… That was insane—and admirable.
If memory served, the entire island would be destroyed by a Buster Call. Only Nico Robin would survive, spared by Aokiji's moment of mercy.
There wasn't much more to say—it had been their choice.
And as always, it was the innocent who paid the price.
"Bring the coffin. We're going to see the most knowledgeable place in the world."
With that, Charlotte led his crew toward the island.
—
Back at the Tree of Knowledge, Professor Clover led Olvia inside.
Only when they were certain no one was around did he speak.
"Olvia… what happened to you?"
"Professor, my husband and I were studying a large stone monument. Suddenly, a group of masked men in black attacked us. They were incredibly strong. We barely made it back to our ship. But my husband… he was shot. He died aboard."
Olvia's voice trembled as she held back tears.
"A stone monument? What was written on it?"
Professor Clover's voice turned sharp with excitement.
Olvia shook her head.
"It was a massive cube, white-gray in color. We barely got a glimpse before they attacked. But the characters on it… they weren't any known language. I believe they're from 800 years ago—or from the Void Century itself!"
Despite her grief, Olvia's scholarly instincts shone through as she recalled the monument.
"That confirms it! It must have been a Poneglyph! Definitely a Poneglyph!"
Professor Clover's eyes lit up, voice trembling with excitement.
"A… Poneglyph?"
Olvia looked at him in confusion.
"Yes! The indestructible texts that the World Government has tried to erase from history! They're scattered around the world and hold the truth of our past!"
Clover was practically delirious with revelation.
"Do you remember where that Poneglyph was?"
"I do. It was on an uninhabited island in the West Blue. But it's probably gone by now. After we escaped, part of the attackers split off to transport the stone."
Olvia looked down sadly.
"What?! The World Government took it?"
Clover's face darkened.
"Damn them! These criminals of history… why are they so afraid of the truth?"
He turned pale, eyes locked with Olvia's.
"Professor…"
Olvia reached out, trying to calm him.
He took a deep breath.
"I understand now. I'm sorry for your husband's death. But it won't be in vain. One day, we'll uncover the truth of this world's history. That is the lifelong mission of us Ohara scholars!"
He looked at her firmly.
"Yes, Professor."
Olvia nodded.
The truth of history—no matter the cost—was worth fighting for.
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